Contents Week One: The Hijrah and Arrival in Madinah The Commencement of Hijrah... 2 Preparations... 3 The Meeting at Darun-Nadwa... 4 Order to Migrate... 5 Cave of Thaur... 6 Journey to Quba... 7 Madinah... 8 Jihad... 10 1
The Commencement of Hijrah The origins of Hijrah (migration) were initiated in the form of pious dreams, where Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was shown the location of migration and that it was a place abounding in date palms, but not the name of the place. Whilst Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) reflected over possible locations, divine revelation pointed out that the place of migration was Madinah Munawwarah. Thus the command for the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) to emigrate was issued. 2
Preparations The preparations to emigrate were secretive and the first person to emigrate was the milk brother of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), Abu Salmah Abdul Asad Makhzumi (radiallahu anhu) with his wife and son. However, Hijrah was difficult as whoever intended to do so would meet fierce resistance from the Quraysh who left no stone unturned to prevent emigration. Despite this, Abu Salmah (radiallahu anhu) readied his family for departure. However, as he was leaving, the family of Umm Salmah (radiallahu anha) prevented him from taking her and her son. Abu Salmah (radiallahu anhu) had to continue to Madinah, alone. After a year, Umm Salmah (radiallahu anha) took her child and left for Madinah after one of her paternal cousins took pity upon her, rebuking her family for their actions. Thereafter, many other Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) left, including: Amir ibn Rabi ah with his wife Layla bint Khaythamah Abu Ahmad ibn Jahsh and his brother Abdullah ibn Jahsh with their families Ukkashah ibn Mihsan Uqbah ibn Wahab Amr ibn Mihsan Safwan ibn Amr Zubair ibn Ubaid (radiallahu anhum) Zainab bint Jahsh Habibah bint Jahsh Umm Qays bint Mihsan (radiallahu anhum) They were followed by Umar (radiallahu anhu) and Ayash ibn Abi Rabi'ah (radiallahu anhu) with twenty others. Utbah and Abu Jahl watched as the people left Makkah one by one. Utbah exclaimed that this was all because of their nephew who was responsible for causing such a division within the society. Soon, only Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), Abu Bakr and Ali (radiallahu anhum) along with a few helpless and vulnerable Muslims, were left. 3
The Meeting at Darun-Nadwa When the Quraysh realised the gradual migration of the Muslims and that soon, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would also depart, a few leaders convened in Darun-Nadwa to discuss the predicament. Amongst them were Utbah ibn Rabi ah, Abu Sufyan, Jubair ibn Mut im, Abu Jahl and Umayyah ibn Khalaf. Iblis appeared in the form of an old man and asked to listen to the discussion and advise them. The suggestions that were put forward were: To incarcerate Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)- Iblis responded that if his followers came to know of it, they would overwhelm the Quraysh to release him (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) To banish Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) from Makkah- Iblis responded that his speech was sweet and captivating and that another city who would listen to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), would believe and rally together to attack the Quraysh To jointly assassinate Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)- Abu Jahl wanted a young man from each tribe to do this so the blood of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would be fanned over all tribes making retaliatory attacks more difficult. Iblis said that this was the most excellent plan. They agreed to undertake the wicked deed that very night. 4
Order to Migrate Jibra eel (alayhis salaam) came to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) with divine revelation informing him about their evil plot: And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners. [Surah Anfaal: 30] He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was also divinely commanded to emigrate and that Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) would accompany him. Due to the resolution of the Quraysh, Jibra eel (alayhis salaam) advised Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to refrain from spending the night at his own home. Instead, Ali (radiallahu anhu) was asked to don his green sheet and lie down; assuring him that nothing untoward would happen. He also handed over those entrusted items of the Quraysh that were with him and advised Ali (radiallahu anhu) to return them to their rightful owners. The Quraysh lay in wait but as Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) emerged, he took a handful of sand and read the opening verses of Surah Yaseen on it and hurled it over their heads. Allah placed a veil over their eyes which allowed Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to pass without being seen. He then went to the house of Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) and together they left, heading for Mount Thaur. A man passing by Rasulullah s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) home, informed the Quraysh that he had already passed by and this was proven true when Ali (radiallahu anhu) rose from his bed that morning. 5
Cave of Thaur Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) was prepared to sacrifice his life for Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) on this journey and on reaching the cave, entered it first to clean it. The Quraysh meanwhile began their search of the areas surrounding Makkah and ascended the same Mount. A spider spun a web over the mouth of the cave, which when the Quraysh saw, made them believe that no one had entered and so they retreated. Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) was concerned when the Quraysh came to the mouth of the cave, that their location would become known. However Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) comforted him by saying that Allah is with the two of them and He would protect them. They remained hidden in the cave for three days and on the morning of the fourth, they departed for Quba along the coastal route with their guide, Abdullah ibn Ariqat. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) left Makkah on the first of Rabi-ul-Awwal, and according to the most authentic narration, left on a Thursday, stayed in the cave for three days and left the cave on the Monday for Madinah, reaching Quba on the twelfth. However, the other preferred view is that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) left the cave on the first of Rabi-ul-Awwal and reached Quba on the eighth. 6
Journey to Quba The Quraysh had proclaimed a reward of one hundred camels for the one who killed or captured either Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) or Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu). Suraqah ibn Malik heard from a man that he caught sight of people on the coastal route and he felt convinced that it was Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Mounting his horse, spear in hand, he rode in their direction. As he got closer, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) cursed Suraqah and immediately his horse slumped into the ground till its knees. He beseeched Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to make du a for him and promised that he would turn back anyone who was searching for them. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) made du a and his horse was released. Suraqah ibn Malik made his way back to Makkah and deterred the searchers from going along the same route. Ali (radiallahu anhu) met Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) in a place called Quba, three miles south of Madinah. The first task to be undertaken was the laying of the foundations of a Masjid. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) first placed a stone in the direction of the Qiblah and other Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) who were present, followed. After staying a few days in Quba, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) left on Friday for Madinah. As he passed by the locality of the Banu Salim, the time for Jumu ah set in and was thus performed. This was the first Khutbah and Jumu ah in Islam. 7
Madinah Every resident in Madinah wished to entertain Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). However, he replied that the camel was commanded by Allah and wherever it sits, he will stay. The camel sat at the door of Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (radiallahu anhu). The camel of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sat in a dates-drying area which belonged to two orphans Sahl and Suhail (radiallahu anhum). He asked to purchase that plot of land to erect a Masjid. The orphans were willing to give it for free but Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) insisted on purchasing it and the price of 10 dinars was agreed. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) instructed the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) to chop down date palms and produce unbaked bricks. The Masjid was unique in its simplicity. The walls were constructed of unbaked bricks, pillars were made from the trunks of date palms and the roof consisted of leaves and branches of date palms. Bonds of Brotherhood The bonds of brotherhood between the Muhajirin from Makkah and the Ansar from Madinah were established. They would assist one another and console each other. The Ansar generosity was such that besides giving them wealth and land, they even offered their wives to them. The Call to Prayer It was the practice of the people that they would assemble in the Masjid at the time of Salat. However Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) felt that there should be some type of signal that would allow an easier assembly of the people. Suggestions of striking a Naqus (type of stick) or blowing a Buq (trumpet) were made, however Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) rejected these ideas as it was similar to the Jews and Christians. Abdullah ibn Zaid ibn Abdi Rabbihi (radiallahu anhu) saw a dream in which a man told him of something better than chiming a bell to call people for Salat and he then said the words of the Adhan and Iqamah. The next day, Abdullah ibn Zaid (radiallahu anhu) related the dream to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) who pronounced that the dream was a true dream. He instructed that the words be taught to Bilal (radiallahu anhu) as his voice was louder. As Umar (radiallahu anhu) heard the words of the Adhan, he informed Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that he had also heard what Abdulluah ibn Zaid (radiallahu anhu) was shown in the dream. The Jews of Madinah Soon after Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) settled in Madinah, the Rabbis of the Jews came before him and posed different questions. Being aware of his appearance, many accepted Islam such as Abdullah ibn Salaam (radiallahu anhu). 8
However, the majority of the Jews chose to defy Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and thus a written peace treaty was drawn up with them, to ensure that their opposition would not intensify any further and the Muslims would remain safe. This was done five months after Hijrah and the treaty was concluded with the three major tribes of Jews in and around Madinah: Banu Nadheer, Banu Qaynuqah and Banu Qurayzah. Other incidents in the first year of Hijrah The head of Banu Najjar passed away Walid ibn Mughirah and Aas ibn Wail- two leaders of the polytheists, died After 8 months, the marriage between Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and A isha (radiallahu anha) was consummated Incidents in the second year of Hijrah Change of direction of Qiblah from Jerusalem to the Ka bah Fasting in Ramadhan was made obligatory Commands regarding Sadaqatul Fitr and Salatul Eid were revealed Qurbani and Salat of Eid-ul-Adha was made compulsory According to most opinions, Zakaat was also prescribed The Nikah of Fatimah (radiallahu anha) and Ali (radiallahu anhu) 9
Jihad Only when Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to Madinah, was the directive of Jihad revealed. An offensive was launched against the disbelievers and armies despatched to various regions. Ghazwat: battles which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) participated in Sariyyah: battles which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) didn t participate in Ghazwat Abwa in Safar 2 A.H. with 60 Muhajirin. The Qurayshi caravan had already departed and a truce with the chief of the Banu Damrah tribe was concluded. After 15 days, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) returned without engaging in physical combat. Bawat in Rabi-ul-Awwal/ Thani 2 A.H. with 200 Muhajirin. The trade caravan had somehow slipped away undetected and thus they returned to Madinah. Ushayrah in Jamadul Ula 2 A.H. with 200 Muhajirin. The caravan had slipped away so Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) concluded a peace treaty with the Banu Madlij tribe. Sariyyah Siful Bahr, 7 months after Hijrah under Hamza (radiallahu anhu) with 30 Muhajirin. They were sent to follow the caravan of Abu Jahl but as they prepared to attack, Majdi ibn Amr mediated and both parties returned without any fighting. Rabigh, 8 months after Hijrah under Ubaidah ibn Harith (radiallahu anhu) with 60-80 Muhajirin. No actual battle took place. Kharrar, Dhul Qa dah under Sa d ibn Abi Waqqas (radiallahu anhu) with 20 Muhajirin. The caravan they were pursuing had already left when they arrived. Nakhlah, Rajab under Abdullah ibn Jahsh (radiallahu anhu) with 11 Muhajirin. An attack was launched on the returning Qurayshi caravan and the leader Amr ibn Al-Hadrami was killed with the goods and property seized. This was the first spoils of war in Islam. 10